Miscommunication leads to Dodgers' downfall

June 15, 2014

Updated 8:17 p.m.

1 of 11

The Dodgers' Dee Gordon lands on his face after making a play and throwing out Arizona Diamondbacks' Tony Campana at first base in the eighth inning on Sunday at Dodger Stadium. JAYNE KAMIN-ONCEA, JAYNE KAMIN-ONCEA AP

1 of 11

Then Dodgers' Adrian Gonzalez is greeted in the dugout after scoring a run in the second inning off of a sacrifice fly hit by teammate Scott Van Slyke on Sunday at Dodger Stadium. JAYNE KAMIN-ONCEA, JAYNE KAMIN-ONCEA AP

1 of 11

Dodgers shortstop Hanley Ramirez, left, makes the tag as Arizona Diamondbacks' Cody Ross is thrown out by Dodgers right fielder Yasiel Puig while trying to stretch a hit into a double in the fifth inning on Sunday at Dodger Stadium. JAYNE KAMIN-ONCEA, JAYNE KAMIN-ONCEA AP

1 of 11

The Dodgers' Scott Van Slyke (33) is out at second base on fielder's choice as Arizona Diamondbacks' Aaron Hill throws to first base in the eighth inning on Sunday at Dodger Stadium. JAYNE KAMIN-ONCEA, JAYNE KAMIN-ONCEA AP

1 of 11

The Arizona Diamondbacks' Aaron Hill rolls after sliding into home after a Dodger error to score the second of two runs on the play in the seventh inning on Sunday at Dodger Stadium. STEPHEN DUNN, STEPHEN DUNN GETTY IMAGES

1 of 11

Dodgers second baseman Dee Gordon, left, dives to get out of the way as center fielder Scott Van Slyke catches a fly ball in the third inning on Sunday at Dodger Stadium. STEPHEN DUNN, STEPHEN DUNN GETTY IMAGES

The Arizona Diamondbacks' Aaron Hill slides past Dodgers catcher Drew Butera after a Dodger error to score the second of two runs on the play in the seventh inning on Sunday at Dodger Stadium. STEPHEN DUNN, STEPHEN DUNN GETTY IMAGES

The Dodgers' Dee Gordon lands on his face after making a play and throwing out Arizona Diamondbacks' Tony Campana at first base in the eighth inning on Sunday at Dodger Stadium. JAYNE KAMIN-ONCEA, JAYNE KAMIN-ONCEA AP

LOS ANGELES – The Dodgers were within striking distance entering Sunday’s seventh inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks, down just one run with an effective Josh Beckett on the mound.

And then Arizona catcher Miguel Montero hit a ball halfway between first and second base, and Adrian Gonzalez was nowhere near the first-base bag when Dee Gordon fielded it and looked to throw over.

Montero reached on the miscommunication and the Diamondbacks quickly scored two runs, with that play and a subsequent Gordon error propelling them to a 6-3 win at Dodger Stadium.

“That one inning got away,” Dodgers manager Don Mattingly said.

Said right-hander Josh Beckett, the game’s loser: “Everything that could go wrong, did go wrong.”

In the bottom of the inning, too. In that half, Drew Butera ran into a key out on the basepaths after drawing a walk. Justin Turner doubled to score Jamie Romak and Butera rounded third with the intent to score, despite third-base coach Lorenzo Bundy’s stop sign.

A couple steps after touching third, Butera tried to revert back, but it was too late. He made the first out of the inning, slowing a Dodger rally.

“I think I was being a little too aggressive,” Butera said.

Beckett (4-4) threw seven innings, striking out six and walking none. He was charged with four runs, three of them earned.

If he had been running from the mound on contact, he likely could’ve been in position to catch Gordon’s throw and retire Montero in the seventh. Beckett declined to discuss what he thought about that specific play.

“I don’t get into that,” he said.

Gonzalez said he approached Mattingly after the inning and asked if he did anything wrong on the play, saying he couldn’t immediately tell Gordon would be able to field it.

Mattingly said he was fine with Gonzalez ranging to his right, even though it proved unnecessary.

The Dodgers (37-34) have not swept a series at home this season. They remain in second place in the National League West, 61/2 games back of the San Francisco Giants, two games closer than they were at the beginning of the weekend.

“We try to gain a game every series,” Gonzalez said. “Or at least stay steady.”

User Agreement

Keep it civil and stay on topic. No profanity, vulgarity, racial
slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about
tragedies will be blocked. By posting your comment, you agree to
allow Orange County Register Communications, Inc. the right to
republish your name and comment in additional Register publications
without any notification or payment.